Coming to Netflix in January 2019

(KUTV) January sees some high-profile films leaving Netflix, but you can take solace in knowing that there is a equally impressive lot of titles coming to the streaming service next month.

Last month's recommendations were completely culled from Netflix original content, this month sways back into more familiar ground with catalog titles like Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," Quentin Tatantino's "Pulp Fiction," Jon Favreau's "Swingers," the return of Christopher Nolan's" "The Dark Knight", Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" and Zach Snyder's take on the classic comic series"Watchmen." Some of these titles are more obvious choices than others, but they all have their unique place in the history of contemporary cinema. But they didn't quite make the cut when it comes to this month's ten titles that caught my attention.

Hell or High Water

Written by Taylor Sheridan ("Sicario," "Wind River") and starring Chris Pine and Ben Foster as a pair of bank robbing brothers chased by Texas Rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gill Birmingham), "Hell or High Water" is a fantastic modern western with strong performances. It received four Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Pine and Foster, you can see part of that interview here. It, unfortunately, does not include Pine complimenting my shoes. The language was a little too colorful for broadcast.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

I remember walking to my mother's car trying to process the incredible ending of "Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." I would have just turned five years old. I was terrified and exhilarated at the same time. The film still gives me the chills, even if not all of the special effects are nearly as effective as they were in 1981. It's a bit pulpy, but never kitsch as Harrison Ford stars as an adventurous archaeologist determined to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis do. All three sequels are also coming to Netflix,

Pan's Labyrinth

When I discovered that Guillermo del Toro was the director of both "Blade II" and "Mimic," he instantly became an artist that I was going to follow closely. To this point, "Pan's Labyrinth" is his masterpiece, a dark fairy tale that features some of his most beautiful and frightening images. The story takes place in both Spain in 1944 during the Francoist period and in a fantasy world filled with strange, wonderful and monstrous creatures. Neither world proves to be very hospitable to our young protagonist.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Despite a warm reception by those who saw the film, "Solo: A Star Wars Story" was given the cold shoulder when it was released in May. It’s actually the most entertaining Star Wars film since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi” as director Ron Howard takes the tone of the original film and builds the origin tale of Han Solo around it. (Available 1/9/19)

Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wasp

Following the drama of the most recent Avengers film, Marvel needed a little comic relief. “Ant-Man and the Wasp” provides just that with a little more depth than you might expect when it comes to the film’s antagonist. Spending ample time focusing on the Wasp character (Evangeline Lilly) also helps to keep things feeling fresh. (Available 1/29/19)

Disney Pixar's The Incredibles 2

Well, it certainly took them long enough to make this enjoyable sequel to one of Pixar’s most beloved films. “The Increibles 2” flips the script from the first film to focus on Elastigirl. We’re more accustomed to seeing superhero films these days, but there’s still a wealth of stories to be told with this family. (Available 1/30/19)

I haven't had a chance to watch any of this month's Netflix Originals, but here are four that have my attention.

And Breathe Normally - NETFLIX FILM

"And Breathe Normally" is an Icelandic narrative that played in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at last year's Sundance Film Festival. The story follows a stubborn pay-check-to-paycheck single mother, her young son and the Guinea-Bissauan asylum seeker. (Arriving 1/4/19)

Carmen Sandiego - NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The original television series "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" ran while I was in high school. As such I didn't spent a lot of time with the show, but having two younger sisters did have me watching more of it than I would have otherwise. Netflix has done a wonderful job with their animated reboots, I'd be shocked if that doesn't continue with "Carmen Sandiego." (Available 1/18/19)

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened - NETFLIX ORIGINAL

I wasn't aware of the FYRE Festival until it was making headlines for not being the experience its promoters promised. I don't know why the attendees didn't just head to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve, spend two weekend in Southern California for the Coachella Music Festival or Ibiza, Spain for the legendary parties. Maybe this documentary will help me understand. (Arriving 1/18/19)

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes-- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

I grew up in the shadow of Ted Bundy. I watched a lot of morning news as a child, I knew who Bundy was, but I didn't fully recognize the fear that he put into the world. Particularly when you were a woman living in Salt Lake City, like my mother was. (Arriving 1/24/19)

A complete list of titles coming to Netflix in January

Descriptions provided by Netflix.

Avail. 1/1/19

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 3-- NETFLIX ORIGINALIn the series' third and final act, the Baudelaires will stop at nothing to solve the mysteries of the VFD and end Count Olaf's relentless pursuit.

Across the UniverseBabelBlack Hawk DownCity of God

COMEDIANS of the world-- NETFLIX ORIGINALThis global, first-of-its-kind, series will showcase 47 comedians from 13 regions in 8 languages in an unprecedented stand-up comedy experience. The groundbreaking series will feature a range of stand-up specials from comedians diverse in style, gender and ethnicity. Get ready to start the new year off with a laugh!

Definitely, MaybeGodzillaHappy FeetHell or High WaterI Know What You Did Last SummerIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullIndiana Jones and the Last CrusadeIndiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomIt Takes TwoJay and Silent Bob Strike BackJersey BoysMona Lisa SmileMr. Bean's HolidayPan's Labyrinth

Pinky Malinky-- NETFLIX ORIGINALPinky Malinky sees the bright side of everything, including being born a hot dog. With his BFFs in tow, this little wiener takes a bite out of life.

Call My Agent!: Season 3-- NETFLIX ORIGINALRising tensions prompt two agents to hatch a secret plot in a new season of showbiz antics with Isabelle Huppert, Monica Bellucci and Jean Dujardin.

El Potro: Unstoppable-- NETFLIX FILMA singer makes a splash in the Tropical music scene thanks to his good looks and magnetism, but must navigate tragedy and the trappings of fame to survive.

Lionheart-- NETFLIX FILMWhen her father falls ill, Adaeze steps up to run the family business -- alongside her uncle -- and prove herself in a male-dominated world.

Avail. 1/9/19

GODZILLA The Planet Eater-- NETFLIX ORIGINALWith the earth alliance weakened, Haruo weighs siding with the Exif, whose death cult is summoning a monster that can destroy the world.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Avail. 1/10/19

When Heroes Fly-- NETFLIX ORIGINALYears after a bitter falling out, four Israeli military veterans reunite and travel to Colombia in search of a loved one they'd presumed to be dead.

Avail. 1/11/19

Friends from College: Season 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINALMistakes were made. Feelings were hurt. Life goes on. Now, with a wedding on the horizon, the gang tries to put the past behind them.

ReMastered: Massacre at the Stadium-- NETFLIX ORIGINALFor years, the murder of Chilean protest singer Victor Jara was blamed on an official in Pinochet's army. Now in exile, he tries to exonerate himself.

Sex Education-- NETFLIX ORIGINALMeet Otis Milburn – an inexperienced, socially awkward high school student who lives with his mother, a sex therapist. Surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis is a reluctant expert on the subject. When his home life is revealed at school, Otis realizes that he can use his specialist knowledge to gain status. He teams up with Maeve, a whip-smart bad-girl, and together they set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their fellow students’ weird and wonderful problems. Through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realizes he may need some therapy of his own.

Solo-- NETFLIX FILMIn a remote area of the Canary Islands, young surfer Alvaro Vizcaino accidentally falls from a cliff. Seriously injured, he must fight to survive.

The Last Laugh-- NETFLIX FILMRetired talent manager Al reconnects with former client Buddy, a comedian who gave up performing decades ago, and urges him to go back out on the road.

Avail. 1/15/19

Revenger-- NETFLIX FILMA former detective hell-bent on revenge infiltrates a remote island serving as a prison for dangerous death row criminals in search of a brutal fiend.

Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry-- NETFLIX ORIGINALSebastian Maniscalco takes on life's many annoyances with his singularly expressive approach in a live special based on his memoir of the same name.

Avail. 1/16/19

American Gangster

Avail. 1/17/19

American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace

Avail. 1/18/19

Carmen Sandiego-- NETFLIX ORIGINALCarmen Sandiego returns in this series that follows her new international capers as well as past escapades that led to her becoming a super thief.

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened-- NETFLIX ORIGINALThe Fyre Festival was billed as a luxury music experience full of social media influencers on a posh island, but the reality was far from the promises.

GIRL-- NETFLIX FILMIn this award-winning drama inspired by a true story, 15-year-old Lara trains to become a ballerina as she transitions from her assigned gender.

Grace and Frankie: Season 5-- NETFLIX ORIGINALIn the return of this Emmy winning comedy, two friends launch a scheme to get their old lives back.

IO-- NETFLIX FILMOne of the last survivors on Earth, a teen races to cure her poisoned planet before the final shuttle to a distant space colony leaves her stranded.

Soni-- NETFLIX FILMWhile fighting crimes against women in Delhi, a short-fused policewoman and her level-headed female boss grapple with gender issues in their own lives.

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 5-- NETFLIX ORIGINALThis season, the trolls get lost in wormholes, journey to the Fountain of Glitter, go for a ride in a submarine, play in the snow and more.

Avail. 1/21/19

Justice-- NETFLIX ORIGINALInstead of joining her father’s law firm as her family expects, Farah strikes out on her own as a defense attorney after returning home to Abu Dhabi.

Avail. 1/24/19

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes-- NETFLIX ORIGINALGet a unique look inside the mind of an infamous serial killer with this cinematic self-portrait crafted from statements made by Ted Bundy.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

Avail. 1/25/19

Animas-- NETFLIX FILMWhen her best friend starts acting odd after a strange accident, a young woman descends into a living hell where nightmare and reality are blurred.

Black Earth Rising-- NETFLIX ORIGINALA contemporary thriller that follows the difficult journey of a woman, a Rwandan orphaned by the genocide, raised in London by an adopted mother, trying to discover the truth of her past. The series examines the West’s relationship with Africa, set in a world of prosecution of war crimes.

Club de Cuervos: Season 4-- NETFLIX ORIGINALChava and Isabel come to terms with their futures and the future of the Cuervos in an all-new season of surprises.

Kingdom-- NETFLIX ORIGINALIn a kingdom defeated by corruption and famine, a mysterious rumour of the king’s death spreads as does a strange plague that renders the infected immune to death and hungry for flesh. The crown prince, fallen victim to a conspiracy, sets out on a journey to unveil the evil behind it all and save his people.

Medici: The Magnificent-- NETFLIX ORIGINALHe already sacrificed his dreams of being an artist and marrying his true love. Will building and protecting the Medici legacy cost him his soul too?

Polar-- NETFLIX FILMThe world’s top assassin, Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, is settling into retirement when his former employer marks him as a liability to the firm. Against his will, he finds himself back in the game going head to head with an army of younger, faster, ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to have him silenced.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 4 Part 2-- NETFLIX ORIGINALAs the series comes to a hilarious and moving close, Kimmy has to choose between helping her friends, Titus (Tituss Burgess), Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) and Lillian (Carol Kane), and helping someone she’s never put first before: herself. This final season includes a double-sized “Sliding Doors” episode exploring how the main characters’ lives might have been different if Kimmy had never been kidnapped.

Avail. 1/27/19

Z Nation: Season 5

Avail. 1/29/19

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: One Show Fits All-- NETFLIX ORIGINALIn a new comedy special for 2019, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias discusses his teenage son, encounters with Snoop Dogg and an overzealous fan, and more.